Carton-sealing machine



Sept. 18 i923.

C. C. GAMM CARTONy sEALING MACHINE Filed March 8 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept; 18 1923.

C. c. GAMM CARTON SEALING MACHINE 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 8,

u l i u l Patented Sept.. 18, 1923.

UNETD STATE PATENT @FFHCO CHARLES C. GAMM, F ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TQ WALDORF PAPER PROD- UC'IS COMPANY, A CORPORATION 01E' MINNESOTA.

CARTON-SWING MACHINE.

.Application led March 8, 1922. Serial No. 542,024.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES C. GAMM, a citizen of the United States, residin at St. Paul, inthe countv of Ramsey and tate ot Minnesota, have invented new and useful Improvements in Carton-Sealing Machines,

of which the following is a specification.

Merchandise packed for shipment in libre containers and particularlyy merchandise such as canned goods tends to distort and break open the containers if they are insecurely sealed. It isY necessary for secure sealing and convenience in piling rectangular containers of this kind that they be accurately squared ywhen they are closed and also that they be held square and-'under continued pressure until the adhesive has partially dried or set. Heretofore much inconvenience and loss or damage to goods during handling and shipping has been caused by detective squaring and sealing.

Further, with sealing machines in common use where endless carriers are used to apply continued pressure during the sealing 25 it is usual to apply uniform vpressure to the wholeupper and lower surfaces. By thus a'pplying equal pressure to the lateral edges and central portions of the containers there is a tendency to cause the outer flaps to move out of squared position upon the inner flaps and also to cause the adjacent edges of the outer iaps to bulge and break away from the inner flaps thus causing insecure sealing.

It is my object to obviate the'inconvenience and loss or damage to goods thus caused by providin a novel and ellicient machine for sealin filled containers. A

More particularly it is my object to provide a machine which will accurately square 40' rectangular containers on all sides and then hold the containersso squared under pressure until the adhesive has partially dried or set.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a device of this kind endless carriers which. apply greater pressure to the central portions of the container flaps than to the lateral edges of the containers. v

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of this kind which requires a minimum of hand labor and is quick and easy to operate.

MV invention also includes various novel features of construction which will be more' In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the best form of my device at present known to me, lFi ure 1 is a side elevation of my improved sea ing machine; Fig, 2 is a plan view of the same; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the squaring mechanism taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the s uaring mechanism taken on the line 4 4 ofqlig. 1'; Fig. 5 is a'transverse section taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. I; Fig. 6 is a plan view of one of the end squaring devices; Fig. 7 is an end view of the same and Fig. 8 is a plan view of one of the illedcontainers with one of the upper flaps turned back.

Referring to the 'accompanying drawings l' have used the numeral 10 to indicate the containers to be sealed. These containers are placed upon a table 11, consisting of longitudinal angle irons 12 which carry a bed of rollers 13, and each angle iron is supported at one end by a leg 14 and at the other end is secured to an angle iron 15 of the main frame. rlhe containers 10, which are of the usual form having inner flaps 16 and outer fla-ps 17, are filled either before or after being placed upon the table 11, when the inner aps 16 are folded upon the contents and glue or other adhesive is applied to the outer surfaces of said flaps. 'lhe outer flaps 17 are now folded upon the glue covered surf faces of the inner flaps 16 and the container is ready to be squared and sealed.

With the flaps 17 on the top and bottom surfaces and the adjacent ed es of said fla s extending longitudinally of t e` machine, t e

container is moved upon the rollers 13 beneath a series of short compressing rollers 18` These rollers are journalled in a substantially rectangular frame 19, which is secured by bolts 20 to the lateral surfaces of the upper angle irons 15. Insertion of the contalners beneath the compressing rollers 18 is facilitated by a curved guide 21 which is secured to the end of the frame 19. While thus held under pressure between the rollers 13 and 18 the container is squared as follows. Stationary angle irons 22, extending along the ends of the rollers 13 and 18, form a stationary abutment for the lateral edges of the containers 1G at the top and bottom and a pair of (zo-acting bars 23 are arranged will to be manipulated to press said container against the angle irons 22. The bars 23 are arranged in parallel relation so as to strike the upper and lower edges of the container 10 opposite the angle irons 22 and are connected by three vertical rods 24. Extending horizontally outward from two of the rods 24 are links 25 and 26 which connect and support said rods and the bars 23 upon a large lever 27. This, lever is pivoted horizontally on one of the vertical legs 28 of the machine frame, and a grip 29, on the opposite end of said lever, is arranged to be manipulated to move the bars 23 horizontally as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Thus; when the containers l() are moved beneath the rollers 18 vthe lever 27, carrying the bars 23, is in its dotted line position (Fig. 1) and when the container is to be squared said lever is swung to its full line position Figs. 1, 2 and 4) to bring the bars 23 firmly against the container and thereby square the outer flaps17 and lateral surfaces of the container.

To square the inner liaps 16 and forward and rearward surfaces of the container 10 I provide a pair of end squaring bars 30 and 31. These bars are mounted, respectively upon transverse shafts 32 and 33, the bars being fast on said. shafts. Longitudinal surfaces 34 and 35 are formed on each of the bars 30 and 31 to engage the upper and lower forward corners of the container 10 and adjacent edges of the flaps 17, respectively'. As will be readily understood, the edges 34 on the bars 30 and 31 are parallel and 1n the same vertical plane and the edges 35 are similarly arranged in a .plane slightly in advance of the edges 34. The shafts 32 and 33 are journalled vin the longitudinal angle irons 15 and a bell crank 36, fast on an outwardly projecting end of the shaft 32, is con- .nected by a vertical rod 37 with a pedal 38.

This pedal is pivoted vertically between suitable ears near the base of one of the legs 28. The opposite end of the shaft 32 is provided with a bell crank 39 which is joined by a link rod 40 to the upper squaring -bar 31. A spring 41, connected at one end to the rod 37 and at its other end to one of theangle irons 12, resiliently supports the pedal 38 and connected parts so that the squaring bars 30 and 31 normally project into the path of containers on the rollers 13. Thus,

to finish the squaring of a container the op-A erator pushes upon the rearward end thereof and thereby brings the forward horizontal corners of the container against the edges 34 and 35 of the bars 30 and 31. The edges 35 force the inner flaps 16 toward each other and square them whilethe edges 34 engage and square the forward edges of the flaps 17. To remove these bars from the path of the containers, the pedal 38 is depressed.

r This draws the rod 37. and crank 36 downward against the action of the spring 41 to tilt the operating edges of the bar 30 out of the path of the containers; and the crank 39 and link 40 simultaneously move the operating edges of the bars 3l out of the path of the containers. l

After the above described squaring operation has vbeen completed the containers are passed between two endless carriers 42 and 43 which apply contained pressure to the upper and lower surfaces thereof. The endless carriers 42 and 43 comprise a series of transverse slats 44 having raised central portions 45 mounted edge to edge upon endless chains 46 so as to form plain surfaces between which the containers are compressed as'hereinafter described. The chains 46 run upon sprocket wheels 47 which are fast on a series of parallel shafts 48, 49, 50 and 51. These shafts are severally journalled in suitable bearings on the longitudinal angle irons 15. The angle irons 15 are supported upon the four legs 28 two of which are in turn supported upon wheels 52. The carriers 42 and 43 are arranged to be continuously driven by the followin designated gearing and shafts. A longitudinal shaft 53, journalled in suitable bearings upon a transverse frame 54,.carries a pulley 55 adapted to be driven by a suitable motor. A worm 56, fast on the'shaft 53, drives a worm wheel 57 mounted on the outer end of the shaft 48. This shaft 48 is supplied with a bevelled gear 58 which drives. another bevelled gear 59 on the lower end of a vertical shaft. GO. The latter shaft is connected by bevelled gears 61 and 62 with the shaft 49. v

In order to apply continuous pressure to the containers the juxtaposed runs of the belts 42 and 43 are supported between the angle irons 15 (Fig. 5) upon longitudinal planks 63 which are bolted'to `transverse channel irons 644. These channel irons are bolted to the angle irons 15. To insure effieient sealing of the containers it is important that the central portion of the fiaps 16 and 1T he held under greater pressure than the outer portions of said flaps. To accomplish this I provide the raised central portions 45 on the slats 44. The effect of these central portions 45 of the slats 44 is to sccurelj' hold the outer flaps 17 against transverse movement while any irregular projections in the material of said flaps or in the height of the containers is allowed toV bulge outward at the lateral sides of the containers and also to bulge toward the adjacent slats opposite the shoulders formed along the lateral edges thereof.

To Complete the sealing of the containers 10 they are passed between the carriers 42 and 43 and held under continuedpressure thereby, the sriuaiing liars 3U and 31 having been first removed from their path 'by depressing the pedal 38. '1 he carriers 42 and 43 are operated at a relatlvely low speed and. are of substantial length so that suicient time is allowed for the adhesive to partially dry or set before the containers are released from the pressure of said carriers at the delivery end of the machine. Whenthe sealed containers are released by the carriers 42 and 43 a suitable conveyor 65 carries them to a place for storage or shipment. I consider it advantageous in many cases to deliver the containers by the conveyor 65 to a point near the receiving end of my machine so that a single operator may be employed.

to seal and square the containers before they are passed between the carriers 42 and 43 and to inspect or pile them after the sealing has been completed.

Inorder to adapt the machine to seal con tainers of various sizes and to insure the application of the proper amount of pressure I provide vertical adjustment for the upper angle irons 15 which support the carrier 42 and pressure rollers 18 and I also vprovide vertical adjustment of the upper squarmg bar 23. The latter bar is supported between suitable nuts which are vertically adjustable on the upper ends of the rods 24. The bearings of the upper angle irons 15 are supported between large nuts 66 which may be turned upward or downward on the threaded upper ends of the legs 28. The horizontal angular position of the squaringr bars 23 is made adjustable by means of a bolt 67 which passes through a suitable slot in the link 26 and the bolts 20, connecting the frame 19 with the angle irons 15, also pass through slots in said frame to permit vertical adjustment ofsaid frame on the angle irons 15.

It is to be understood that when the term fiber containers is mentioned herein it includes containers known to the trade as corrugated containers as well as the larger cartons used in shipping merchandise.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a sealing machine a table, means for applying pressure to the upper surfaces of fibre containers on said table, stationary and transversely movable squaring elements arranged to bear upon the lateral surfaces of containers on said table and traveling means for continuing. pressure on the upper surfaces of the containers.

2. In a sealing machine a table, means for applying pressure to the upper surfaces of fibre containers on said table, stationary and transversely movable squaring elements arranged to bear upon the lateral surfaces of containers on said table, end squaring bars adapted to engage upper and lower horizontal corners of containers at the end of said table and traveling means for maintaining continued pressure to the upper and lower `surfaces of the containers.

3. In a. sealing machine a table, means for applying pressure to the upper surfaces of fibre containers on said table, stationary and transversely movable squaring elements arranged to bear upon the lateral surfaces of containers on Vsaid table, movable end vsquaring bars arranged to project into the path of containers at the end of said table and traveling means for maintaining continued pressure on the upper and lower surfaces of the containers. j

4.1m a sealing machine a bed of rollers arranged to receive fibre containers to be sealed, a series of rollers mounted above said bed to bear upon the upper surfaces of -said containers, stationary squaring elements. extending along one end of said rollers, horizontally movable squarng bars adjacent to the vopposite ends of said rollers, vertically movable squaring bars arranged in parallel relation at the ends of said bed and series of rollers, and a pair of traveling conveyors adapted to maintain continucd. pressure on the containers between the proximate surfaces of' the conveyors.

5. In a sealingmachine a bed of rollers arranged to receive'tibre containers to be sealed, a series of rollers mounted above said bed to bear upon the upper surfaces of said containers, stationary squaring ele,- ments extending along one end of said rollers, horizontally movable squaring bars adjacent to the opposite ends of said rollers, a lever to actuate said bars, vertically movable squaring bars arranged in parallel relation at the ends of said bed and series of rollers and endless conve'yors arranged to maintain continued pressure on the containers.

6. In a sealing machine a table, means for applying pressure to the upper surfacesfof fibre containers on said table, stationary and transversely movable squaring elements arranged to bear upon the lateral surfaces ofsaid containers on said table and means for maintaining continued pressure on the containers, comprising a pair of endless conveyors operated in paths to bring them in parallel relation during a substantial portion of their movement for engaging opposite surfaces of containers and projections on the bearing surfaces of said conveyors arranged to apply increased pressure to the centers of said containers. p

7. In a sealing machine a table and an endless carrier mounted with its upper runv in continuation of said table, asecond endless carrier mounted above said first .mentioned carrier with its lower run arranged to bear upon the upper surfaces of fibre containers on said lower carrier, an end l squaring bar extending transverse said table adjacent to the cnd of said lower carrier,

a tiltable support for said squaring bar, a surface formed on said bar to engage the ends of containers, said bar being arranged to project into the path of'containers on said table and means for tilting said support to remove said bar from lthe path of containers. y

8. In a seal-ing machine a table and an endless carrier mounted with its upper run in continuation of said table, a second endless carrier mounted above said first mentioned carrier with its lower run arranged to bear upon the upper surfaces of libre containers on said lower carrier, -a pair of end squaring bars extending transverse said table at the end of said carriers, tiltable supports for said squaring bars, surfaces formed in the same vertical plain on said bars to engage the ends of containers, said bars being arranged to normally project into the path of containers on said table and means for tilting said support to remove said bars from the path of said containers.

9. In a sealing machine for fibre containers having top and bottom over-lapping aps, a table, means for ho-lding said flaps in closed position on said table, stationary and transversely movable squaring elements arranged to bear upon the lateral surfaces of containers on said table and means for squaring the ends of the containers and flaps comprising a pair of bars arranged to project into the path of containers on said table, surfaces formed on said bars to engage the ends of the containers and flaps, and means for moving said bars out of the path of containers.

10. In a sealing machine for fibre containers having top and bottom over-lapping flaps, a table, means for holding said flaps in closed position on said table and means for squaring the containers and flaps, comprising a pair of bars -arranged to project into the path of containers on said table, surfaces severally formed on said bars to engage the ends of the containers and flaps, and means for moving said bars out of the path of containers.

11. In a sealing machine for fibre containers having top and bottom over-lapping flaps, a table, means for holding said flaps in closed position on said table, stationary and transversely movable squaring elements arranged to bear upon the lateral surfaces of containers `on said table, and means for squaring the ends of the containers and liaps, comprising a pair of bars tiltably arranged at the end of said table to normally project into the path of containers, surfaces severally formed on said bars to engage the ends of containers and flaps, and means for tilting said bars out of the path of containers.

12. In a sealing machine a table, means for applying pressure to the upper surfaces of fibre containers on said table, stationary and transversely movable squaring elements arranged to bear upon the lateral surfaces of containers on said table, means for applying continued pressure to the containers, and means for squa'iing the ends of containers, comprising a pair of bars tiltably supported at the end of said table and arranged to normally project into the path of containers on said table and means for simultaneously tilting said bars out of the path of the containers.

13. In a sealing machine, legs formed with threaded upper ends, a pair of longitudinal 'frame members supported on said legs, a second pair of longitudinal frame members adjustable vertically on the upper ends of said legs in parallel relation with said first mentioned frame members, a pair of endless carriers operated inpaths to bring 'them in parallel relation during a substantial portion of their movementl for engaging opposite surfaces of fibre containers, station! ary supporting means for the parallel runs olfsaid carriers mounted on said frame members, a bed of rollers arranged in continuation of said first mentioned frame members to receive containers to be sealed, stationary and transversely movable squaring elements adapted to bear upon the lateral surfaces of containers on said table, and'means for actuating said transversely movable squaring element.

14. In a sealing machine legs formed with threaded upper ends, a pair of longitudinal frame members supported on said legs, a

second pair of longitudinal frame members adjustable vertically on the upper ends of said legs in parallel relation with said first mentioned frame members, a pair of endless carriers operated in paths to bring them in parallel relation during asubstantial portion of their movement for engaging opposite surfaces of libre containers, stationary supporting means for the parallel runs of said carriers mounted on said frame members, a bed of rollers arranged in continuation of said first mentioned frame members to receive containers to be sealed, a series ot' frame members supported on said legs, a-

second pair of longitudinal frame members adjustable vertically on the upper ends of said legs in parallel relation with said first mentioned frame members, a pair of endless carriers operated in paths to bring them in parallel relation during a substantial porinserm tion of their movement for engaging oppositesurfaces of fibre containers, transverse bars formed with projectingcenters on the proximate aces of said carriers, stationary supporting means for the parallel runs of said carriers mounted on said frame members, a bed of rollers arranged in continuation of said first mentioned frame members 'to receive containers to be sealed, a series of rollers adapted to bear upon the upper surfaces of containers on said table', stationary and transversely movable squaring elements adapted to bear upon the lateral surfaces of containers on said table and means for actuating said transversely movable squaring element.

16. ln a sealing machine a table, means for squaring fibre containers on said table, pairs of endless chains operated in paths to bring them in parallel relation during a substantial portion of their movement, lseries of transverse slats secured to said chainsfto form continuous bearing surfaces for engaging the tops and bottoms of containers between the adjacent runs of said chains and projections arranged on the central por-- stantial portion of their movement, series of transverse slats secured to said chai-ns to form continuous bearing surfaces adapted to engage the tops and bottoms of containers between the adjacent runs of said chains, stationary supports. for the adjacent runs of said slats, and projections arranged on the central portions of said slats to apply pressure to the central portions only of contalners.

ln testimony whereof, have hereunto signed my name to this specification.

CHARLES C. @All/IM. 

